Cardinal Arinze @ 40 Years a Cardinal. Today, we celebrate a living legend: Francis Cardinal Arinze—Nigerian by birth, Vatican veteran by calling, and eternal powerhouse of Catholic wisdom! Exactly 40 years ago, Pope John Paul II looked at then-Archbishop Arinze and said, “Let’s make this guy a cardinal.” And what a choice! Since May 25, 1985, Cardinal Arinze has been wearing red (spiritually, of course) longer than most of us have worn socks. He’s been: A master of interreligious dialogue (basically, the Church’s peace ambassador). A liturgy boss at the Vatican (aka the guy who kept Mass meaningful). A walking encyclopedia of faith with a smile that could convert skeptics. Now 92 years young, he’s still sharper than ever—and still holier than your Wi-Fi signal on Sunday morning. Cardinal Arinze, thank you for being a prayerful powerhouse, wise warrior of the Word, and proud son of Africa. You’ve served the Church with joy. Cheers to 40 cardinal years—and still counting! May God grant you many more years of grace and laughter Rev Fr Prince Chidi Philip

Good morning. OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: SUNDAY MAY 25TH 2025 TOPIC: THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY MEMORISE: “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” - (Mark 9:23) READ: LUKE 8:43-48 (KJV) 43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. MESSAGE: I don't believe in impossibilities. This is why, when I ask someone to do something, and that fellow says it is impossible, I move on immediately and get someone else to do it. When we were building Redemption City, some people said it was impossible to build a house within seven days, but we did it. They also said the house would collapse soon, but it has been standing for over 40 years. Then, they said, "It's a bungalow. A storey building will take months to build." However, we built a storey building in 18 days. They moved on to say that it would soon collapse, but it is still standing over 30 years later. In those cases, what we simply did was find a way to double time. Workers were working on the construction site day and night. That way, what should have taken two days to accomplish only took one. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we were successful - that is what I call divine engineering. No matter how impossible something looks, if you have the Holy Spirit and are determined to get that thing done, there will always be a way. Several years ago, I was in a faraway country to minister during a Holy Ghost Service. The venue that was used for the service was a rented property, so for me to have a place to stay and pray before the service, they had to bring a motorhome. As I stepped out of the motorhome to go for my ministration, and while the protocol officers were still trying to clear the way for me, a woman who had been barren for many years ran into the motorhome and sat on the seat I had just gotten up from. The protocol officers ran after her and took her out of the motorhome immediately, but the woman was not bothered because she believed she had gotten her miracle. She had faith that God would give her a miracle child if she could just sit in the motorhome, and she became pregnant that month! The woman with the issue of blood in today's Bible reading was determined enough to disregard all the obstacles that could have prevented her from touching the hem of Jesus' garment. Sometimes, you will face obstacles in life; however, you must know that with God, nothing is impossible. Trust Him, and don't give up; He will make a way where there seems to be no way, and you will testify. KEY POINT: With God, there will always be a way. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ESTHER 1-5 AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE HYMNAL: 21 - MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS 1 My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand. 2 When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain] 3 His oath, his covenant, his blood, support me in the whelming flood; when all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain] 4 When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found: dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain] #SeekFirstTheKingdom

Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us. As we worship the Lord God Almighty "Therefore confess your sin's to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:6) I pray, may God Almighty hear the true confessions of your heart &, prayers request and fulfill all your heart desires and wishes to His glory today and beyond. Enjoy the beauty of glorious and victorious Sunday. Remain blessed ✨✨🙏🙏🙏✝️✝️✝️✨✨

*ROMANTIC THINGS TO DO THAT DON'T INVOLVE S*X...✍🏾* When romance is often mentioned, many think it is all about s*x. But romance is actually anything you do to your partner that communicate and show that him/her is special to you. Here are a few examples. 1. Calling your partner a special name that you wouldn't call any other person such "Honey", "Sweetheart" 2. Cooking together. This activity actually gives you two a chance to bond closer 3. Going out on dates to intimate places (not clubs) where you can look into each other's eyes and have heart to heart conversations 4. Pulling up her seat or holding her hand when she climbs up a stair case. Even though she can do this on her own, this makes her feel like you are mindful of her 5. Singing love songs together. This warms the heart 6. Covering each other in prayer. The most romantic thing is taking care of each other's spirit 7. Holding each other's hand as you walk. 8. Going out for walks, picnics and plays 9. If you have children, planning dates just for you two as you make plans for someone to take care of the kids. Children tend to kill romance if you are not deliberate about maintaining the fire 10. Talking on the phone till late about heart matters if you two are far from each other. If all you talk about till late is s*x then you are missing out on depth 11. Writing each other love letters. Yes, there is something special about reading each other's handwriting in this digital age. Leave a note for your partner on the pillow or post a letter if your partner is far away 12. Making him a warm drink as he works or going to see him with packed lunch. This shows that you have him in mind 13. Sending a parcel. There is something special about opening up a physical gift from the one you love 14. Praising each other publicly, whether in front of your friends, on social media or in social gatherings. But do this only when you love your partner well in private, otherwise it is just pretense 15. Writing each other poems, love songs or warm messages of how much you mean to each other 16. Sitting next to each other in church services as you read from the same Bible 17. Talking with your child/children about how you two met. Children love those stories of mom and dad. This reminds you two of how far your love has come 18. Wishing each other a good night and a good morning. Simple words but they mean alot 19. Having pillow talks on your marriage bed as you cuddle and be vulnerable with each other Remember that is your life partner. Do and say things that communicate love. If you two are dating and your coming together is because of sex, then you are missing out on a chance to build on a strong foundation on which your future will be built. If you two are married and you stopped making each other feel special especially since the children came, or the only time you pay attention to each other is when you want sex then you are weakening your marriage. Bring true romance back.

*SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES+, 25/05/2025* NNPC announces Port Harcourt refinery shutdown for maintenance Mass burial in Taraba as herders slaughter scores Varsity unions threaten strike over N50bn allowances Borno offers scholarships to female UTME candidates scoring over 250 Gombe defends 14-year-old girl fleeing forced marriage in Taraba NAPS demands explanation on overnight WAEC exams in Asaba Osimhen agrees three-year deal with Al-Hilal Arsenal join race to sign ‘star boy’ Lookman Facebook deletes old live videos, gives users 90-day window to save content After brief X outage, Musk says refocusing on businesses N. Korea detains three over warship launch accident Sierra Leone reports more than 3,000 mpox cases, 14 deaths UAE national to face charges in Nigeria over $307,500 scam How I was sold for prostitution in Mali – Actress Jumoke George’s daughter -------------------------- *DID YOU KNOW?* * The Sistine Chapel in Vatican is a historic building of such acclaim that over five million people come to visit it every year. It takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who commissioned its construction on the foundations of the original Capella Magna in 1477. * The only apps that were on the first iPhone in 2007 were all only Apple’s apps. These days, there are over 1.4 million apps for iPhone. -------------------------- Tinubu appoints Nnamani, Anyim, Shema, 18 others into federal agencies Tinubu hails pro-democracy activist Ayo Obe at 70 Obasanjo, Shettima, Adeleke, Abiodun light up Ogun Games Tinubu’s Inclusion Of 12 Northerners In New Appointments Good Omen – Ndume Ondo gov tribunal delivers judgment June 4 P-Square’s Peter cross-examined in alleged $1m fraud case Military arrests five foreigners in Plateau Police extradite fugitive over multi-million dollar fraud One killed as troops raid ESN camp Troops stop oil theft of N533.5m, arrest 51, deactivate 18 illegal refineries Tinubu’s reforms drive customs revenue to record ₦1.3tr in Q1 2025 – Adeniyi FG begins repairs on Lagos-Ibadan bridges 753 Emefiele’s forfeited duplexes not yet for sale, FG warns Nigerians Ilorin crash: NSIB recovers data card as onsite probe begins FX inflows through money transfer operators hit $4.76bn – CBN FG probes night examination in Unity School Asaba FG to unveil three cancer centres May 29 FG eyes 15,000 jobs as minister inspects steel facility Osun jailbreak: FG intensifies border watch after murder suspect recapture REA adds 120 job opportunities to renewable energy space N56.85bn Disbursed As NELFUND Marks 1 Year NELFUND celebrates first anniversary with over 550,000 applications NCAA to meet Kenya Airways over fine, passenger maltreatment Hajj: NAHCON team holds prayer in S’Arabia for Tinubu, Nigeria First Lady expands food security drive to vulnerable groups nationwide ASUU laments neglect of universities, demands fulfilment of promises UI student wins Amnesty International’s 2025 inter-varsity debate Metering: MOJEC backs Tinubu’s ban on importation Establishing agency won’t eradicate malaria without political will – Physicians Most Nigerian pastors are extremely poor – Bishop Ighele Biafra: Under Tinubu, Southeast has only one minister, 3 assistant ministers -Uwazurike Nigeria won’t slip into one-party state – Abba Moro 2027: ADC leaders split over takeover by anti-Tinubu coalition Atiku shuns Adeleke, visits Aregbesola amid setbacks for coalition I may not contest again after 2027, says Obi Adeleke eases curfew in Osun communities ahead Eid El Kabir Gombe gov kicks as northern coalition faults anti-terror efforts Ibas promises to revamp Rivers technical, vocational centre Uzodimma demands swift probe of JAMB website hackers Hajj 2025: Kaduna Airlifts Over 3,700 Pilgrims To Saudi Arabia Defection report leak: A’bom bars Channels crew from govt house Kogi not under siege – State gov’t Police neutralise bandit, rescue 5 kidnapped victims in Katsina Suspected herdsmen abduct two siblings in Imo community Gunmen kill family of four in Anambra -------------------------- *TODAY IN HISTORY* * On this day in 1963, 32 African countries formed a coalition against white rule. The Organisation of African Unity was founded to promote decolonization and end white minority governments in Africa. The OAU was replaced by the African Union in 2002. * On this day in 1977, the first Star Wars film was released. George Lucas’ epic space opera is one of the most popular works in movie history. -------------------------- Believe in yourself and believe in love. Love something. – Andrew Wyeth Good morning *Compiled by Hon. Osuji George osujis@yahoo.com, +234-8122200446*

*✊If u don't pray you will become prey for the devil💯🤌* *#Pray Continously 🛐* _#Jesus §aves💯_

🧏‍♂️Even 10 minutes during the day is enough for prayer. It’ll keep you in tune, it’ll keep you conscious that you’re not walking alone.✊ 📖1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Rejoice always, *pray without ceasing*, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you".🙏

A word for you today.🔥 "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" - Psalm 19:14. This verse beautifully captures the essence of starting our day with God. It's a heartfelt prayer that asks God to guide our thoughts, words, and actions, ensuring they align with His will. By prioritizing God's presence in our mornings, we can navigate the day with wisdom, confidence, and peace.

16 BEST GIFTS YOU CAN GIVE TO YOUR CHILDREN By focusing on these areas, you can create a supportive and loving home environment that fosters your child's overall development and well-being. 1. **A Good Home** One of the best gifts you can give to your children is a good home. Creating a positive environment involves supporting their physical, emotional, and psychological development. Nothing stresses a child more than a home where parents are in turmoil. Provide your child with a safe haven. Ensure the home is safe and free from hazards, addressing both physical safety (like childproofing) and emotional safety (offering a non-judgmental space for self-expression). Parent together as a couple to model teamwork. Children learn by observing, so demonstrate values you want them to adopt, such as honesty, kindness, and responsibility. 2. **Health and Well-being** Ensure your children have access to nutritious food, regular medical check-ups, and opportunities for physical activity. Provide a variety of healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy, and encourage them to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Promote regular physical activities, such as playing outside, participating in sports, or dancing. Establish a consistent bedtime routine to help them wind down, ensuring they get enough sleep according to their age (e.g., 8-10 hours for school-aged children). Teach good hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing, brushing teeth twice a day, and bathing regularly. Keep their living space clean and organized to promote well-being and prevent illness. 3. **A Good Community** Surround your child with positive influences. Choose friends who are supportive, good role models, and can mentor your child. 4. **A Good Name** Living out a good name for your children means setting a positive example and creating a legacy they can admire and aspire to. Exhibit behaviors such as kindness, patience, and responsibility. Demonstrate honesty, reliability, and strong moral principles through your actions. Show respect for others, including your children, family members, and the community. Be known for your positive contributions and interactions within your community. Actively teach your children about the importance of values such as honesty and responsibility. Live honorably so that your child will be proud to call themselves yours. 5. **Wisdom** Demonstrate wisdom in your own life and share your insights and experiences with your children. Encourage open-ended questions, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Teach your children about important values and ethics, discussing how to apply them in real-life situations. Share life lessons you have learned to help your children avoid the mistakes you made. Provide opportunities for your children to make decisions and take responsibility for their choices. Teach them how to handle and create wealth, socialize, develop emotional intelligence, solve problems, grow spiritually, and take care of their bodies. 6. **Quality Time** Your children need your presence. Spend quality time engaging in activities they enjoy, which strengthens your bond and creates lasting memories. Maintain open lines of communication, encouraging them to express their thoughts and feelings. 7. **Fond Memories** Build strong family bonds by spending quality time together. Family is about shared experiences—focus on creating positive memories for your child. 8. **Stable Routine** Establish a consistent daily routine that includes regular times for meals, homework, chores, and bedtime. This helps children feel secure and develop good habits. 9. **A Listening Ear** Maintain open and honest communication. Listen to your child's concerns, validate their feelings, and provide guidance when needed. You should be the person your child feels comfortable approaching—be approachable and easy to talk to. Many children suffer in silence without support. 10. **A Good Education** Provide your child with access to the best schools you can afford. Foster a love for reading by offering age-appropriate books and reading together. Invest in educational materials that promote growth, and if you provide your child with a digital device, guide them towards sites that enhance learning. Make education fun. 11. **A Vision** Support your children's passions and interests, helping them develop a sense of purpose and direction. Guide them in forming their vision, understanding their "why." Discuss the importance of education, hard work, and pursuing goals. Don’t just tell them to succeed; help them understand the reasons behind their efforts. **12. Patience and Understanding** Don’t give up on your child; remember that nurturing takes time. Avoid setting unrealistic expectations or hoping for immediate results. It's important not to pressure your child excessively, as this can lead to feelings of inadequacy or depression. **13. Unconditional Love** Provide your child with unconditional love, support, and affection. This helps to build their self-esteem and sense of security. Pay attention to their emotional well-being and offer support when needed. Encourage open conversations about feelings, and provide praise and encouragement to boost their confidence. Avoid comparing your child to others. **14. Encouragement and Support** Support your child's interests and activities, and encourage them to try new things. This approach fosters confidence and resilience. Create a conducive learning environment at home to support their education, nurture curiosity, and assist with homework or projects when necessary. Be your child’s biggest cheerleader. When they experience setbacks, help them to get back up. Take deliberate actions to show your support, such as celebrating their achievements, praising them publicly, being present during significant moments, and affirming their efforts. **15. Setting Boundaries** Establish clear and fair rules and boundaries that are consistently enforced. This helps children understand expectations and promotes self-discipline. **16. Teach Your Children the Way of the Lord** Teaching your children about faith and spirituality can be a rewarding experience. Demonstrate your faith through your actions, words, and values. Read and discuss Bible stories with your children, highlighting key lessons and principles. Establish a prayer routine, teaching them how to communicate with God. Attend church services together, participating in worship and community activities. Teach them important biblical values, such as love, kindness, and forgiveness. Support your children's spiritual growth by providing opportunities for Bible study, prayer, and service. Lead by example, demonstrating forgiveness and grace in your own life. Surround your children with faith-filled music, books, and conversations. Pray for their spiritual growth and well-being, asking God to guide and bless them. May God give us more understanding Kindly share this message with your loved ones 🙏

*Kingdom Matters Devotional* Topic: Things That Belong to Your Peace (1) _Main Text: Luke 19:42 – “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”_ Brethren, join me to return all praise to our Lord Jesus Christ for the gift of a new week and the privilege to share this edition of Kingdom Matters Devotional (KMD) with you. I pray that your days ahead will be filled with divine accomplishments, in Jesus’ name. Let me start by reminding you that peace is one of the most precious treasures anyone can possess. It is no surprise that humanity constantly yearns for it. As a matter of fact, God, in His wisdom, knows how unbalanced and chaotic life becomes without peace, this is why His Word encourages us to “pursue peace with all people.” Sadly, many people have lost their joy, their homes, and even their sanity in the desperate search for peace. Some go to great lengths, even compromising their values and faith, all in a bid to find peace. Friends, though, pursuing peace is crucial, however, the real question is where does true peace come from, and how can we find it? Kindly read the main text for this edition and join me to examine the truths revealed by Jesus as captured below. 1. That, there are provisions already made for your peace. 2. That, many persons are unable to experience this peace because their eyes are closed to those provisions. Child of God, I may not know your story, your struggles, or the battles you are fighting right now. But one thing is certain, there are things that belong to your peace. They may be hidden from your sight at the moment, but by God’s grace, this new series will uncover them for you. I encourage you to stay committed to this journey throughout the week. Pray for divine insight, and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart and guide our team as we prepare each message. Kindly extend this invitation to those who are weary, anxious, or searching for peace to join this devotional series. Share it widely. As you become a channel of peace to others, God will continue to reward you. See you in the next edition. Stay blessed and stay in peace. Bro. Williams Elogun, Gospel Flame Ministry, Worldwide. Follow our Facebook pages for inspiring spiritual updates: @Gospel Flame Ministry @Bro Williams Elogun Join our Facebook group @Kingdom Matter Devotional https://www.facebook.com/share/g/CFMN3Wh2csT5TvCn/?mibextid=K35XfP Join our WhatsApp group: https://bit.ly/3ZxRUBR

*ROMANTIC THINGS TO DO THAT DON'T INVOLVE S*X...✍🏾* When romance is often mentioned, many think it is all about s*x. But romance is actually anything you do to your partner that communicate and show that him/her is special to you. Here are a few examples. 1. Calling your partner a special name that you wouldn't call any other person such "Honey", "Sweetheart" 2. Cooking together. This activity actually gives you two a chance to bond closer 3. Going out on dates to intimate places (not clubs) where you can look into each other's eyes and have heart to heart conversations 4. Pulling up her seat or holding her hand when she climbs up a stair case. Even though she can do this on her own, this makes her feel like you are mindful of her 5. Singing love songs together. This warms the heart 6. Covering each other in prayer. The most romantic thing is taking care of each other's spirit 7. Holding each other's hand as you walk. 8. Going out for walks, picnics and plays 9. If you have children, planning dates just for you two as you make plans for someone to take care of the kids. Children tend to kill romance if you are not deliberate about maintaining the fire 10. Talking on the phone till late about heart matters if you two are far from each other. If all you talk about till late is s*x then you are missing out on depth 11. Writing each other love letters. Yes, there is something special about reading each other's handwriting in this digital age. Leave a note for your partner on the pillow or post a letter if your partner is far away 12. Making him a warm drink as he works or going to see him with packed lunch. This shows that you have him in mind 13. Sending a parcel. There is something special about opening up a physical gift from the one you love 14. Praising each other publicly, whether in front of your friends, on social media or in social gatherings. But do this only when you love your partner well in private, otherwise it is just pretense 15. Writing each other poems, love songs or warm messages of how much you mean to each other 16. Sitting next to each other in church services as you read from the same Bible 17. Talking with your child/children about how you two met. Children love those stories of mom and dad. This reminds you two of how far your love has come 18. Wishing each other a good night and a good morning. Simple words but they mean alot 19. Having pillow talks on your marriage bed as you cuddle and be vulnerable with each other Remember that is your life partner. Do and say things that communicate love. If you two are dating and your coming together is because of sex, then you are missing out on a chance to build on a strong foundation on which your future will be built. If you two are married and you stopped making each other feel special especially since the children came, or the only time you pay attention to each other is when you want sex then you are weakening your marriage. Bring true romance back.

🌟 *READY FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT WITH THE GOD OF RESTORATION TODAY?* Here are a few guidelines on how to prepare: 🫀 *Prepare your Heart:* Begin your day in prayers. Ask the Lord to touch and heal you today, and to restore to you all that the enemy has stolen, as you encounter Him today. 🥻 - *Dress your best:* You are meeting with the God of Restoration, how else should you be dressed? Your best! 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 - *Come with your Family:* Every member of your family should benefit from today's healing and restoration appointment. Come along with them or send them the service link if they live outside of Lagos. ⏰ - *Be Prompt:* Service begins by 8:15am GMT+1, don't be a second late. We can't wait to celebrate your testimony of healing and restoration with you at the end of service!